Root Canal Treatment
When a tooth becomes infected, that infection can spread into the center of the tooth. This area is called the dental pulp. Inside of the dental pulp is the nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. All of the sensitive areas of the tooth are contained here. As such, when the area becomes infected it can be incredibly painful, requiring immediate treatment. We can perform a root canal quickly on people living in and around the Westfield area. While root canals are traditionally very successful procedures, any complication arising from a previously treated tooth (retreatment) can also be addressed by Dr. Vasani.
Symptoms Of Root Canal Infection
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Severe tooth pain, which often persists for extended periods of time.
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Pain radiating into your jaw, ear, or temple areas
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Pain when biting down or when touching the tooth.
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Sensitivity to heat is a classic sign of tooth pulp being severely damaged
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Sensitivity to cold,
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Darkening of the tooth as compared with teeth alongside it.
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Swelling or abscess on the gum above the offending tooth
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Broken or chipped tooth. These conditions usually cause significant pain.
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Signs of other decay, such as cavities or cracking teeth.
The Procedure
A root canal endodontic procedure works by creating a small hole in the tooth so that all of the infected areas can be removed. The dental pulp is removed, and oftentimes so are the roots. Once it has fully matured, removing the roots will not directly harm the tooth. It can, however, promote further spread of infection if not properly treated or removed. Once done, we will clean the area to ensure that the infection is gone. We will typically prescribe antibiotics, as well. This ensures that any lingering infection is eliminated. In order to complete the root canal, we will seal up the hole and area where the dental pulp used to be. This is typically done with something called gutta-percha. We will then use a filling or crown in order to further strengthen and protect the damaged tooth.
Depending on the complexity of your case and the technology used to complete your procedure, root canal therapy and the placement of your crown may be finished in the course of a single appointment or multiple visits.
Root Canal Retreatment
With proper care, even teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime. But sometimes, a tooth that has been treated doesn’t heal properly and can become painful or diseased months or even years after treatment. If your tooth failed to heal or develops new problems, you have a second chance. An additional procedure may be able to support healing and save your tooth. If you have pain or discomfort in a previously treated tooth, talk to us about retreatment.
the procedure is similar to a routine root canal, with a few added measures. After you are anesthetized (usually with a numbing shot), any restorations presently on your tooth — crowns, for example — will be altered to provide access to the root canal filling material. This is usually accomplished by making a small opening into the inner part of the tooth, removing filling material or obstructions, and cleaning the pulp chambers with tiny instruments.
